New Orleans Pelicans player grades: Pelicans destroyed by Raptors 100-81
The New Orleans Pelicans entered Friday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors facing a tough task. With Anthony Davis joining Tyreke Evans, Norris Cole and Quincy Pondexter on the injury report, New Orleans was facing a good Raptors’ team trying to get back on track after recent tough streak. While New Orleans fought hard in the first half, they ultimately came up way short, as they were outscored 60-41 in the second half and fell to 1-8 on the season.
100. 81. 81. 69. Final
New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY. A-. Te best thing that happened all night for the Pelicans was the play of Holiday. After a few games where he struggled and didn’t look very aggressive, Holiday poured in 19 points on 8-14 shooting including a big burst to start the second half. Add in his usual good defense and it was a great sign for New Orleans.. PG
<strong><a href=. SG. New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC GORDON. A-
The Pelicans are in an impossible situation right now to have <strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK. C
PF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON. F. The Pelicans needed a big night from <strong><a href=
The Pelicans may be running into a problem with <strong><a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. DANTE CUNNINGHAM. D
LUKE BABBITT. D. <strong><a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans
ALEXIS AJINCA. C. It was the best game of the season for <strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans
C+. The decision to start Alonzo Gee bothered some people but he played fairly well on defense early on. But as the game wore on he picked up a few silly fouls and it hurt him. Add in zero points in 25 minutes and it is hard to grade him very well. . SF. New Orleans Pelicans. ALONZO GEE
C. It was a very <strong><a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. ISH SMITH
SF. New Orleans Pelicans. TONEY DOUGLAS. F. If there is a player on the roster worse than Luke Babbitt it is <strong><a href=
Other observations:
- There isn’t much else to say about this one. Any time a team shoots 36.6 percent from the field it will be hard to win a game. That happened to a battered New Orleans team tonight.
- The defense played well again in the first half, challenging a bunch of Raptors shots and making all the right rotations. Again it fell apart in the second. It seems to be a fatigue thing due to injuries, but that bears watching as the Pelicans get healthier.
- It is hard to fathom how Alexis Ajinca was able to play tonight. The thoughts of everyone here at Pelican Debrief go out to those in France.
The Pelicans get back to action on Sunday morning against the Knicks with tipoff set for 11 am CT.